Metallic bedstead



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May 22, 1945. c, Q DEWEY 2,376,347

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tf Y l f HIUIL f ivi L! May-22, 1945- c. L. DEWEY METALLIC BEDSTEAD Filed Nov. '22, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 ofFig. 9. i y Y The bedstead as a whole comprisesa headboard 20, a footboardfZl, connecting side fsills "22,`

appearance it -resembles a Patented May 22, 1945 PATENT orrlcrz,`

METALLIC BEDSTAD v n Clarence L. Dewey,`Elkhart, `Application November 22, 1943, sentiamo. 511,239

9 claims. i (ci. 5-28o) `The bed'steadof the present invention is .intended to conform in itsstyle and `general appearance to` wooden bedsteads lof attractivestyle andnish while at the same time being so con-` structed `that its constituent parts can all be easily formed from metallic sheets and tubing fabricated by methods of quantity production and so assembled that the resulting structure, while light in weight and graceful in design, will nevertheless possess abundant elements of strength, rigidity, and durability due to the formation of the individual parts and themeans employed in their assembly. Furtheradetails of the present invention will be set forth in -thespecication in conjunction with the accompanying "drawings wherein- Fig. 1 is an`elevationof the head of the bed as Fig. 2 isan elevation of the foot as viewedfrom *the outsider;

` Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the head taken Fie; 2; .i i A Fig; 5 is an enlarged `detail `in`sectiontaken on line 5-'5 of Fig.V 1 showing one `of `thehookand socket connections for supporting vthe sillslfrom thecorner'posts or standards;` Figf is a section taken on line 6-45 of Fig. 5';

Figs. 7 and 8 are `cross sections `of oneyof the poststakenonlinesJl-l and 8--8 ofl:ig.`l;` Y Fig. 9 is a `detail of the cap plate for the head;

p Fig. `10"is a detail showing how the finish .strip for theupper'edge `of the head is fitted into place;

and i i Fig. v11 is a sectiorau detail tekenen line `l l-.ln

headposts 23 and foot posts 24. In its general conventional four poster bed. i if n.

'The headboard is" formed of front and :back upper walls 25 and `26 `of stiff sheetmetal anda lsingle lower basefwall Zlof heavier andstiffer gauge metal. The assembly fof'thesewalls into a unified structure provides a headboard of` gener-` panels "28`and29, and the back wall is likewise dlefpressed to provide inwardly` depressed' upper `and lower `panels 3U and -3I`, the faces ofwvhich standing margin around andbetween the de.-

une of contact with, and are spot welded` to, the faces of the panels `28 and 29 `so that the `resulting .structure `is one of greater depth in the `areas surrounding the panels where the metal wall surfaces are somewhat widelyseparated and ofA lesser depthwhere the panel surfaces contact with one another. f f

This oifsettingof the metal to impart an outpressed panels,` `not only greatly` stiffens the headboard :but imparts to` the surface anlattractive `paneled effect while the depressed panel surfaces afford extended contact areas furthe `uniting lof thefront and rear `walls together. .i

r Furthermore, the `greater `depth ofthe margins imparts a substantial appearance to Athe headboard as awholeand renders inconspicuousits relative tliinness in the paneled areas where the walls contact with one another, thus simulating the appearance of4 aipaneled woodenbedstead of excellent design and craftsmanship. y i p.

The lower margin of the front wallZt is :stuck back to provide a flange'32, the edge of which abuts against the frontsurface of the 'base wall 21 which is oiset forwardly from` end to; `end to afford a ledge 33jagainst which theouter face of the ange abuts.` The base Wallis oisetrear.- wardly. at an intermediate levelcto provide a shoulder and offset forwardly-at a lower level to provide a shoulder 35 while the basewallzalong its lower margin is provided with arearwardly projecting flange 36. This alternate offsetting of the metal wall from "opposite sidesfaffords'on the front `a center depressed panel 331 and on the rear,` upper and lower panels 3B and 39 which greatly stiflen the base wall and enable asingle `thicknessof heavier metal to sustain the upper portion of the headboard and afford the necessary rigidityto withstand the strains toawhich thisportion ofthe bedstead is subjected. i

Above the ledge 33 the base wall is' extended in the form of a; flat plate wliichlbrdgeswthe space behind the lower `portionof the baclwall 25 and overlaps the rear surfaces of `thelower panels `29 to which the. 4base Wall `is spot-weldedet the point; 40. Spot-welding is `also applied to the contacting surfaces of the innerand outer walls at the points 4I andlikewise may be `applied to the areaof` contact between the ange 32 `and the n Y to is die-pressed 1edge33. The back wall 26 `terminates `at a level adjacent the upper edge'of the `base .wall,\. and

i the end margins ofthe front and back` wallsare obliquely ilanged `at 42 and t3 (Fig. `i` to make contact-and union with the posts 23 in a manner presently to be described.

The footboard is a counterpart in structure to the headboard except for the omission of a base wall so that the description and the reference numerals previously given, apply equally to the footboard and need not be repeated. However, instead of a base wall, the footboard is stiifened along its lower margin by a reenforcing plate 44 which is offset to provide a center channel 45, the face of which abuts against the lower portion of the front ywall to which it is united by spot welding 46 while the lower edge of the plate is stiffened by a forwardly struck flange 41 which nests against the flange 32. The upper portion of the reenforcing plate overlaps the inwardly depressed surfaces of the lower panels 28 to which it is united by spot welds 48. The ends of the reenforclngplate are obliquely flanged as at 49 (Fig. 7) which likewise illustrates the oblique flanging of the ends of the base Wall of the headboard.

Thelupper rounded edges of the headboard and footboard are overlapped by the finishing strips 501shownfin detail in Figs. 9, 10, and 11. l These strips are of inwardly opening channelled formationy and are constructed of relatively flexible metal or other suitable material which are given an ogee curved configuration along the edges I, which on each side provides a groove 52 for the reception of inturned flanges 53 formed along the `upper edges of the front and back walls of the headboard and footboard and around the arched corners. AThe formation of the channels 52 correspondingly narrows the width of the strip at an intermediate point, giving it the shoulder and neck formation shown in Fig, 11, and to permit this neck portion to occupy a position intermediate the inturned flanges 53, the latter are of less depththan the offsets along the panels 28 andv 30. l

Figs. 9 and 10 indicate how the finishing strips are slipped into position. Inorder to provide clearance for the entering of the end of the strip into engaging relation with the upper edge of the headboard or footboard, the edge is provided `in its center with a notch 54, which yprovides a gap in the flanges 53 and thus permits theend of the finishingstrip to slip onto the exposed butt ends of the flanges which register with the side grooves 52 in the finishing strip. When such engagement of the parts has been effected, the strip will be flexed sufficiently to clear the opposite edge of the notch 54, and then thrust along the edge of the headboard or footboard until its end is flexed around the curved corner and reaches a position which will contact with the adjacent post, thus closing the gap and providing a suitable finish for the edge. yAfter companion finishing strips have been oppositely inserted through the notch 54, thelatter is closed by the insertion of a cap 55 of inverted channel forma,- tion which is slipped into place to overlap the edges of the notch.

Save for length, the corner posts are of identical construction, so that a description of one will apply to all.A Each post is formed from a section of tubing which Ais indented to give it the four pointed star shape in cross section as shown in Figs. 'l and 8, with rounded ridges 56 and interveningfgrooves 5l, the walls of which are at and diverge from one anotherv at a wide angle.

Each post is tapered from its medial region in each direction and terminates in a closed dome-shaped tip 58 and a closed attened foot 59 for floor contact. The bases of the grooves are throughout. eduidistant from the longitudinal axis of the post, and the post being tapered, this results in a progressive reduction in the depth of the grooves which terminate short of the foot and tip of the post, which remain circular in cross section. These end portions, however, are above and below the area of contact of the end edges of the headboard and footboard so that contact throughout will be made with grooved portions of the posts.

These parts are united in the manner shown in Figs. 7 and 8, It will be noted from Fig. 8 that the obliquely disposed flanges 42 and 43 on the ends of the front and rear walls make face contact with the diverging walls of the grooved portion of a post and that the front panel only is united thereto preferably by a line of brazing 50. This is because in the assembling of the parts andthe concealment of the brazing, it is necessary iirst to unite the front Walls to the posts by interior brazing and thereafter secure the rear walls to the front walls, and this technique precludes the4 possibility of applying concealedbrazing to both ofthe walls although close contact between the oblique flanges 43 is maintained when the two walls are united and spotwelded together in the manner previously described. v

The end flanges 49 of the base wall 21 are securedfby a line o f brazing ,6I as shown in Fig. 7.. This kmethod of uniting the head and footboards to the corneryposts conceals the' brazing and affordsa smooth and sightly vjoint so that the exterior finish of the bedstead is not marred by the exposure ofthe means employed in uniting .the parts together. Each side sill 22 is composed of rigid flat plate material which along its upper margin is recurved inwardly to afford an inverted channel formation presenting a broadened upper edge 62 and at its lower edge, the sill is inturned to afford a broad inwardly extendedledge 63 for the supporty of b ox springs or the like;

At each end of the sill is Aa stiff end plate 6,4 which sockets `into the channel under the edge 62 and rests upon the ledge 63. The end plate is united,` by lines of brazing or arc welding B5 so that a firm and rigid union is provided and the sillis strongly reenforced at each end. Each end plate has projecting from itsouter edgela pair of hooked fingers` 66, which are entered `through ,slots 6l in a socket plate `68 which is brazed or'arc welded along lines vl!! across the inwardly facing groove in the adjacent corner post, thus affording a rigid socketl for the reception of the `hooked fingers which support the sill, and permitting the bedstead to be disassembled in the conventional manner. VIn order to aford sufficient clearance for the insertion ofthe hooked fingers, the base of the adjacent groove is provided with vertically extending apertures `lll, which areV flanged along theirmargins 'H by the intrusion, of the metal displaced from the slots asshowninFig-7. A, p Y

vThe structure ofthe bed as a whole is one which throughout conceals from Viewy any raw or unfinished edges or joints which would tend to mar its appearance or interfere with the application of a suitable and attractive finish which `may be of enamel of tasteful colors or in imitation of costly woods, while the paneling `of the head and footboards and the tapering and groovingor fluting of the, posts not .only conserves weighty and increases the rigidity of thestructure butlikewise provides for the concealed union 'amasar 3 to accepted principles of harmonious designing. ;"Iclaim:"

"1. In almetallic bedstead, thecombination of head `and footboards, each `constructedwof `front and back metallic `Walls indented in selected areas to Vform `depressed panels, the inner surfaces of` relation. Y i

2. In a metallic bedstead, the `combination of head and footboards, each constructedfof front and back metallic walls indented in selected areas to form depressed panels, the inner surfaces of the indented areas being in contact `and secured to one another by a thermally applied union, front and rear corner posts of tubular construction and grooved to receive theend edges of the head and footboards, said end edges being provided with inturned flanges in face contact with the walls of the respective grooves, means for uniting the end edges within said grooves, and side sills provided at each end with means adapted to engage with the intermediate portion of the contiguous post for uniting the parts in assembled relation.

3. In a metallic bedstead, the combination of head and footboards, each constructed of front and back metallic walls indented inselected areas to form depressed panels, the inner surfaces of the indented areasbeing in contact and secured to one another by a thermally applied union, iinish strips overlapping the upper 1edges of the front and back walls of the head and footboards and interlocking therewith to conceal said edges, front andrear corner posts of tubular construction and grooved to receive the end edges of the head and footboards, said end edges being provided with inturned flanges in face contact with the walls of the respective grooves, means for uniting the end edges within said grooves, and

side sills provided at each end with means adapted to engage with theintermediate portion of the contiguous post for uniting the parts in assembled relation.

4. In a metallic bedstead, the combination of head and footboards, each constructed of'front `and back metallic walls indente'd in selected interior areas to provide depressed panels having their inner wall faces in contact with one another, with the` surrounding wall areas standing in spaced relation, means for uniting the contacting areas, corner posts each having a longitudinal groove confronting an end edge of either the head or footboard, each of said end edges having an inturned an'ge in facewise contact and union with one of the walls of the associated in spaced relation, meansfor uniting the contacting areas, the headboard being extended downwardly by the provision of `a base wall overlapping `the lower portonwof' one `of thegpanelled` WallsV and secured thereto,y and the footboard being stiffened along its lower portion by theprovlsion of .a lchanneled.reenforcing plate secured `to one fof ,5 the walls thereofcornerpostseach havinga` longitudinal gro'ovefconfronting an lend edgecf either `the head `or footboard, each ofsaidend `,edges having aninturnediiange in facewisecon-k tact and union with oneaof the` walls of the, asso lo `ciated groove, and side sills, each having at each endengagingrneans coacting with the adjacent 'post. i t

6., In a metallic bedstead, the 4combination of head and Vrootboards,` each constructed :of front and back metallic walls indented in selected interior areas to provide depressed panels having their inner wall faces in contact with one another,

with the surrounding wall areas standing in spaced relation, means for uniting the contactingk areas, finish strips having lateral channels engaging the upper margins of the front and back walls of the head and footboards respectively and overlapping the crank between said Walls,

corner `posts each having a longitudinal groove confronting an end edge of either the head `or C footboard, each of said end edges having an inturned flange infacewise contact and union with one of the walls of the associated groove, t and side sills, each having at each end. engaging means coacting with the adjacent post.

'7. In a metallicbedstead, the combination of head and footboards, each constructed of front and back metallic walls indented in'selected interior areas to provide depressed panels having their inner Wall faces in contact with one another, with the surrounding Wall areas standing in spaced relation, means for uniting the con-` tacting areas, the headboard being extended f downwardly by the provision of a .base lwall over- 40 lapping the lower portion of one of the panelled walls and secured thereto, and the footboard being stiffened along its lower portion by the provision of a channeled reenforcing plate secured to one of the walls thereof,` finish strips having lateral channels engaging the upper margins of the front the head or footboard, each of said end edges having an inturned fiange in facewise contact and union with one of the walls of the associated groove, and side sills, each having jat each end engaging means coacting with the adjacent post,

8. In a metallic bedstead, the combination of head and footboards, each constructed of front and back metallic walls indented in selected interior areas to provide depressed panels having their inner wall faces in contact with one an` so other, with the surrounding Wall areas standing in spaced relation, means for uniting the con,-` .tacting areas, the headboard being extended downwardly by the provision of a base wall overlapping the lower portion of one of the panelled walls and secured thereto, and the footboard being stiffened along its lower portion by the proi vision of a channeled Ireenforcing plate secured to one of the walls thereof, corner posts each` having a longitudinal groove confronting an 'o end edge of either the head or footboard, each of said endedges having an inturned ange in facewise contact and union with one of the walls of the associated groove, and side sills, each havl ing at each `end an end plate provided with` downturned hooked fingers, and a socket plate secured to each post and provided with slots adapted to receive said fingers.' Y I 9. In aA metallic bedstead, the combination of head and footboards, each constructed of front o and back metallic walls indented in selected inteof 'a channeled reenforcing plate secured to one of the walls thereof, finish strips having lateral channels engaging the upper margins ofthe front and back walls of the head and footboards lrespectively and overlapping the crack between said walls, corner posts each having a longitudinal groove confronting an end edge of either the head or footboard, each of said end edges having at each end an end plate provided with downturned hooked fingers, and asocket plate secured to each post and provided with slots adapted to receive said fingers.

CLARENCE L. DEWEY. 

